What are the actual steps of downgrading from 2012 R2 to 2008 R2? I'm finding plenty of information on how the licensing works for that, and I understand it all, but can't seem to find any information on the actual downgrade process.

Has there ever really been a downgrade path from a newer version of Windows back to an older release?
– Andrew MedicoMay 17 '16 at 0:57

@AndrewMedico : I believe the answer is: Yes. There was a Windows 3.11 to 3.1 downgrade, which was useful for the "OS/2 for Windows" version of the OS/2 2.1 release, which didn't initially work for Windows 3.11. The downgrade was made by Microsoft, likely due to some sort of contract with IBM.
– TOOGAMMay 17 '16 at 2:59